SUMMARY: Darlene Wood, age 23, died July 7, 1982 after an abortion performed by Regna Rajan at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA
On July 2, 1982, 23-year-old Darlene L. Wood was put under anesthesia for a second trimester abortion at Temple University Hospital. The abortionist was Renga Rajan; the anesthesiologist was William Stevenson-Smith.
Darlene was given nitrous oxide by face mask. She started coughing after the procedure began.
After the abortion was completed, she was admitted to the respiratory intensive care unit, where she was diagnosed with primary pulmonary hypertension.
Over the next several days, Darlene experienced increasing respiratory distress. She was given medication to maintain her blood pressure. But on July 7, Darlene went into cardie-respiratory arrest. She was pronounced dead at 2:50 p.m.
The administrator of Darlene's estate contended that the lack of appropriate medical and anesthetic clearance was a substantial factor in her death.
Rajan was also successfully sued for the 1987 abortion death of Iris Velazquez.
Source: Philadelphia (PA) Court of Common Pleas Case No. 83-01/77
On July 2, 1982, 23-year-old Darlene L. Wood was put under anesthesia for a second trimester abortion at Temple University Hospital. The abortionist was Renga Rajan; the anesthesiologist was William Stevenson-Smith.
Darlene was given nitrous oxide by face mask. She started coughing after the procedure began.
After the abortion was completed, she was admitted to the respiratory intensive care unit, where she was diagnosed with primary pulmonary hypertension.
Over the next several days, Darlene experienced increasing respiratory distress. She was given medication to maintain her blood pressure. But on July 7, Darlene went into cardie-respiratory arrest. She was pronounced dead at 2:50 p.m.
The administrator of Darlene's estate contended that the lack of appropriate medical and anesthetic clearance was a substantial factor in her death.
Rajan was also successfully sued for the 1987 abortion death of Iris Velazquez.
Source: Philadelphia (PA) Court of Common Pleas Case No. 83-01/77